‘Transform I’ was the debut album on the Sufferers Heights label for Dubkasm, the Bristol-based duo of DJ Stryda and Digistep, which has now spawned an additional dub album, and a dub step remix album.
DJ Stryda has been involved in the Bristol reggae scene and further afield since the late 90s as a selector, the promoter behind the Teachings in Dub nights, host of the now famous Sufferah’s Choice radio show and much more – there isn’t a lot that Stryda hasn’t done in reggae – the title of ‘roots ambassador’ is a fitting one.
Digistep is an incredibly talented saxophonist, melodica player, musician and producer whose first material was released at 17, with subsequent dub plates being played by many UK roots sounds.
He went on to feature as part of the horns section for the Shanti-ites and as a session musician for the likes of the Disciples, Roots Hi-Tek, Jah Warrior and other producers. He still found time to fit in teaching saxophone to children, before spending five years in Brasil prior to returning to his hometown.
‘Transform I’ features a line-up of top UK roots vocalists – Tena Stelin, Christine Miller, Dub Judah, Levi Roots, Afrikan Simba and Ras Addis voicing Digistep’s heavy riddims, along with straight dub tracks which unsurprisingly lean towards a UK roots flava.
The album isn’t just 17 tracks of hard and fast steppers. The riddims of the album are varied, such as the slower paced ‘There’s a Love’ or ‘From the Foundation’, to the binghi flavoured ‘Moses’, to ‘Transformai’ voiced in Portuguese on a cut of Crazy Baldheads, the very hard dub sound on ‘Hail Jah’ or the outstanding cuts on the Heart Salute riddim.
Some dub albums out of the UK can sound a little monotonous but the combination of positive lyrics and ruff and varied riddims makes for one of the best UK roots albums of the last few years.
‘Transform I – Remixed’ is an album of dubstep versions, featuring remixes from ten of Bristol’s leading dubstep producers such as RSD, Perverlist, and Forsaken. I’m not the most knowledgeable dubstep listener but like the original album it showcases a variety of styles and vibes. Dubkasm have also released ‘Transform I in Dub’ featuring dark alternate dub versions from the album.
A real reflection of the quality of ‘Transform I’ are the sessions in which material from the album has been played. Prior to being made available on the album or as singles, the likes of Channel One, Aba Shanti-I and Jah Shaka have all run mixes of tunes from the album as dubplates, tearing up dances up and down the country. It’s an album of tried and tested heavyweight sound system music.
More info:
Dubkasm website
Conviction Roots
